I HATE the Word "Normal"

I despise the word "normal" for a variety of reasons, but primarily simply this: Everyone has a different definition of what "normal" is.  For some, working all night and sleeping all day is normal.  For others, being shot at on a daily basis is normal.  For still others, normal involves the general stereotype - 2.5 kids, mom and dad in the same home where either dad works and mom stays home or both work.

Here's what "normal" looks like for my little family.

I (Mom) go to school full time.  I completed my Associates of Science in Biology this semester, but I start back full time at the end of January to work on my Bachelors in Biotechnology and a minor in Psychology.  I also work two unconventional jobs.  Currently I work for myself as a housekeeper for a handful of faithful clients and I am getting a new business as a Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay off the ground.  I'm fully aware that I need to make more money than I do right now, so I am working on getting all of the steps completed to get my license as a pharmacy technician trainee where I can work in a pharmacy setting part time while I go to school.  I don't get things done on the schedule I regularly make because something nearly always comes up, but I do get things done.

My son has an even less "normal" life than I do.  He has high functioning autism.  He also has bilateral ventriculomegaly and agenetic corpus callosum.  He is prone to sickness far more often than other children his age.  He has had positive tests for strep and flu 5 and 6 times respectively since May of this year.  He works with a special education teacher 5 days a week and a speech teacher two days a week inside of school and he has outside therapies in occupational therapy, speech therapy and physical therapy two days a week.  Routine is everything.  If things are the slightest bit off at school, it makes for a long, trying day for not only his teachers, but the behavior at home goes downhill drastically.  Some days, there is no identifiable trigger for the behavior problems.  Sometimes it's that the weather is going to change soon and because of having bilateral ventriculomegaly, he becomes a little human barometer and acts completely unlike his usual self.  Some days he can be calmed and other days he can't be.  If he doesn't know exactly where things are, he panics and we have a behavior issue on our hands.  So far, he's been unable to potty train because of sensory processing disorder.

Then there are the things that get sacrificed.  Birthday parties we don't attend because of last minute meltdowns.  The nights out with friends from school or work because he doesn't want to be with anyone but Mom and freaks out if I leave.

My parents are a MASSIVE help and I do get the chance to get out and do some things.  I am extremely grateful and know I couldn't do half of what I do school or work wise without their help.  So, Mom and Dad, if you are reading this, I know I don't say thank you nearly enough, but please, please know that I'm more grateful than I could ever put into words for all the help you give me.

So...I hate the word normal...I don't use the word normal...  But I love our "normal", even when it's horribly frustrating, hard to deal with, maddening and discouraging.  The good days make up for every ounce of the bad.